The Break - Chapter 43

Chapter 43 After freshening up, Big Ron walked out of the hotel and got in a waiting taxi. “Pepsi Center.” He said to the driver. Schneider’s behavior had been bothering him for the last few days. Since he was concerned, he had been watching him more closely. It seemed that Schneider paid a great deal of attention to the baggage compartment. If fact, it was more like a compulsion. Big Ron was going to find out what was so intriguing about the baggage compartment. The taxi dropped him off at the stage entrance. Big Ron went straight to the bus. Since he had been helping Schneider unload the bus, he knew how to open to the cargo bay. When he opened the first door, he saw that the compartment was mostly empty. He was about to close the door when he noticed two small yellow bags. As he picked them up, he wondered what they could be. All the times he helped Schneider, he had never seen them. They felt like they were made of vinyl. By the feel of them and the rubberized string wrapped around them, he suspected that they were waterproof. Turning the bag over, he saw Arabic writing that he didn’t understand. But the explosive symbol was very recognizable. Big Ron felt his knees grow weak when he remember the two words Schneider said to him during that bizarre exchange last night. “Pepsi Center.” He said out loud. Instantly Big Ron ran into the building. There was less than two hours before the show and he had to find out was Schneider was up to. He didn’t know for a fact what Schneider was capable of doing. But he didn’t like the thoughts that were racing through his mind. As he made his way into the building, he decided it would be best to avoid Schneider if he could. Once inside, he looked around and saw the roadies busily working. There was no sign off Schneider. After fifteen minutes of searching, Big Ron finally got sight of Schneider. He was exiting a door on the Club Level. Instinctively, he knew had to see what was in that room. Big Ron decided to give him a minute or two before ascending the stairs. After assuring himself that Schneider wouldn’t see him, Big Ron made his way through the tangled maze of seats and barriers. Moving slowly so as to avoid attracting attention to himself, it took him almost ten minutes to get to the room. Trying the door, he found it was locked. He had been afraid of that. It wasn’t like he could break the door down. Seeing a fire extinguisher on the wall, Ron got an idea. He pulled it off the wall and walked back to the door and slammed the base on the door knob. The metallic clang was so loud, he froze in place. He waited for what seemed to be an eternity for a security guard to come running. When Big Ron didn’t hear any alarms or see anyone coming, he decided to go back to work. This time he decided to be a little smarted about it. He stripped his shirt off and doubled it over the base of the bright red cylinder. Once again he slammed it down on the door knob. It was still loud, but he thought it was muffled enough to go unheard above the work of the roadies. He began to beat on the knob in earnest. It took several minute, but finally the knob broke off and fell to the ground. He pushed on the door, but it didn’t open. “That’s just great.” He thought. “I go through that and the fucking door still won’t open. Shit only happens in the movies.” Somewhat discouraged, he began to examine the broken door. He saw that he might be able to disassemble the rest of the mechanism. Stuffing his large fingers in the knob hole, he began to push on the internal portion. It gave, but not much. Determined to see what was on the other side of the door, he continued working. It was slow going, it took him almost a forty-five minutes to finally clear the door knob. But once he did, the door swung open. Just as he shut the door, he heard people milling around in the hallway. Big Ron guessed that the doors had opened. He knew he didn’t have much time. Frantically looking around, he saw that he wasn’t in a luxury box as he expected. It seemed to be some type of utility room. Suddenly, he saw it. Not that he knew what a bomb looked like, but it was definitely some type of sinister looking device. Overcoming his flight reaction, he went over and stood in front of it not really knowing what to do. He stood surveying the situation. All he could focus on was the red wire and the black wire. He knew the wires were the key, but falling back on his deep experience about bombs delivered over years of watching Hollywood action movies, he thought that the bomber could have booby-trapped the device in some way. “Damn, that’s it! I am just cutting the red one.” He said out loud. “I wouldn’t do that if I were you.” Schneider said sternly. “Cause then I gotta kill you and re-splice it. “What are you doing here?” Ron asked taken completely by surprise. “Where the fuck did you come from?” “I’m a fuckin’ professional, man.” Schneider continued. “You don’t think I wouldn’t check out my work, do ya? This is going off with out a hitch and you certainly aren’t stopping me, you obnoxious fuck.” “Really?” Ron said as he stood up and puffed out his chest. “Well, I’m cutting the wire and then I’m going to kick your ass. What do you think about that?” “We’ll you are a big man, but there is this one thing see. I have this guy on my side.” Instinctively, Big Ron dove to the side just as the shots rang out. Even though Big Ron was well covered by a cement pillar, Schneider kept firing. Big Ron tried counting the shots. He knew he counted at least ten when there was a pause. He heard Schneider release the magazine and he knew it was time. He sprung to his feet and was on Schneider. Although Schneider was well trained, Ron was big and the surprise and ferocity of the attack completely took him off guard. Within thirty seconds, Big Ron beat him into submission, disarmed him and pinned him to the ground. “Harrison, man.” Schneider said weakly. “What are you doing? It’s me Schneider.” “Me?” Big Ron replied. “What am I doing? What the fuck?” “Where are we, man?” Schneider asked. Ronnie realized that Schneider had no idea what was happening. “Schneider, you planted a bomb.” “Huh?” Schneider asked. “A bomb … oh shit. It’s the Evil, man. The Evil.” “Who the hell is the Evil?” Big Ron asked. “Ian Geggar.” Schneider responded. “The guy’s name is Ian Geggar and his is the Evil.” “Ian Geggar?” Big Ron said. Then another thought tore through his brain. “Schneider, when is this going to go off?” He said in a panicked tone. “Can we stop it?” “Too late.” Schneider responded. The explosion burst his ear drums and actually lifted the two men off the ground and slammed them into the wall. The impact knocked Big Ron out instantly. Although stunned, Schneider was still aware of his surroundings. Sitting up, he looked around and could not believe his eyes. The devastation was unmentionable. It didn’t take long for the horror to take root. Schneider was suddenly aware that he was responsible for all the carnage that assaulted his eyes. Looking around the room, he saw the Glock laying on the floor. He picked it up and quickly slammed home a new clip. Without a thought, he walked back and pointed the weapon at Big Ron’s head. Just as he began to apply pressure to the trigger, his mind completely cleared. For what seemed to be the first time since high school, he was no longer Schneider. In that instant, it all came flooding back. High school, Vietnam, the horrors of torture, the days of living as a hermit and the Evil were instantly crystal clear. “Ian Geggar” He said out loud. As soon as the name passed his lips, Frank Johnson was reborn. The Frank Johnson that played on a state championship football team, the Frank Johnson that joined the Marine Corps to fight for his country, the Frank Johnson that stubbornly protected the lives of the newcomers in Vietnam was alive. Yes, he was alive, but he was not well. This time when he scanned the devastation, he saw the wreckage he had reaped. Instantaneously, he knew what he had to do. He stuck the Glock in his belt, reached down and lifted the unconscious man over his shoulder. Walking quickly, he thought about all the years he had lost and why. Intense hatred boiled up inside him. Ian Geggar had turned him into a monster and manipulated him into carrying out this unspeakable crime. When he made it out of the building, he gently laid Big Ron on the ground. Reaching behind his back, he pulled the Glock out of his belt and placed it in Big Ron’s right hand. Then he sat down and waited. After a few minutes, he watched as Big Ron recovered consciousness and awkwardly regained his feet. He waited until Big Ron appeared to be all right. “Harrison.” He said. “Schneider?” Big Ron asked as he turned to see the perpetrator standing in front of him. “No, Schneider died in there.” He replied. “At least I hope he did. No, I am Frank Johnson.” “Frank Johnson?” Big Ron asked. “I know that’s your real name, but what …” “I don’t know if I can explain it.” Frank attempted. “But for the first time since I went to Vietnam, I am absolutely sure of who I am. At least for now.” “Huh?” Was all Big Ron could say. Frank paused for a moment to formulate what he was going to say. “Look.” He said directly. “This CIA spook turned me into a killer. Actually, a weapon that could be used by the government when they needed me. I was given this mission and I responded like the brain-washed freak I am. Just like I was programmed to do. All Big Ron could do was to blink rapidly. His mouth agape, he stood there staring trying to absorb what Schneider … Frank … whoever … was trying to tell him. “The Evil.” Frank said lowly. “The Evil?” Big Ron repeated in the form of a question. “Yeah, his name is Ian Geggar.” Schneider explained. “He is the Evil.” “Ian … uh … Greggar.” Ron tried to repeat the name.” “Geggar, Ian Geggar.” Frank retorted a little testily. Feeling he was running out of time. Frank began to feel the frustration. He had to get Ron to understand. “Look, Geggar is responsible for this.” Frank said. “But no one is going to believe me. I’m a nut case. It’s gotta be you, man.” “Huh?” Big Ron responded, not quite getting what Frank was telling him. “You have got to get them to believe you.” Frank tried desperately to get his point across. “Come on, Harrison. Catch up, would ya? You have to understand me. No one will believe this. It sounds like a really bad conspiracy theory. So, you have to get the cops, the FBI, the CIA or someone to believe you. It’s up to you.” Through the fog, Big Ron began to understand what this man formerly known as Schneider was trying to say. “Yeah, you’re right.” Big Ron agreed, signaling that he was following the conversation. “And you can’t do it if I am around.” Frank said solemnly. “So you gotta use that.” Schneider pointed at the weapon in Big Ron’s hand. “What the …” Big Ron said. “You know what I am saying.” Frank continued. “You have to. Look, no one will believe you if I am here to be the fall guy. Second, I have no idea how long Frank is here for. In five minutes, I could be Schneider again or worse.” Big Ron understood and began nodding his head in agreement. “I get it, but I don’t think I can.” Big Ron confessed. “I hardly even shot a gun, let alone killed anyone.” “You really have no idea how much I hate to ask you to do this, but you have to do it.” Frank begged. “Please Harrison, for me.” Then Big Ron saw the pain in the man’s eyes. In a way, he empathized with the poor guy. How awful it must be to have no idea who you were or how long you would be that person. Additionally, he had a good point about getting the police to believe him. But the though of killing him was not sitting well with Big Ron. “Harrison, we’re running out of time.” Frank said. “Come on, man. I know how hard it is to kill some one. I have never gotten over the first guy I wasted. But you can do it. Come on, do it. I am not afraid to die. Do it, Harrison. Do it. Big Ron weighed his options and knew what he had to do. He leveled the weapon at Frank Johnson’s chest. “I hope Hell isn’t as bad as they say it is.” Frank said honestly. “I’m really sorry that you gotta die.” Ron said matter-of-factly. “I know.” The Frank replied flatly. Feeling the kick from the weapon, Big Ron kept firing until Frank fell dead at his feet. <<< Chapter 42 More stories from Paul Gavin. Info on novels Paul Gavin's Storefront. Technorati Tags: Fiction, Online Book, Chapter, Rebeleyeball, Paul Gavin IceRocket Tags: Fiction, Blook, Chapter, rebeleyeball